The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saints admit medical error
Physicians fired after misdiagnosis of Breaux’s injury.
Saints coach Sean Payton says cornerback Delvin Breaux needs lower-leg surgery that will sideline him about six weeks and that an initial misdiagnosis of Breaux’s injury has sparked a shake-up in the team’s medical staff.
Payton says Breaux has a fibula fracture that was initially diagnosed as a contusion. Breaux has missed more than a week of practice and Payton said he had been getting frustrated with the pace of Breaux’s recovery, based on the diagnosis.
“I certainly was pushing him, based on the information I was getting,” he said.
The coach said the Saints will replace two orthopedic surgeons and in the meantime receive help from Chargers physicians during joint practices in California leading up to their game Sunday in Los Angeles.
“It’s one of those positions with every team that there’s always that level of importance to come up with the right opinion,” Payton said of the decision to replace the physicians.
Breaux is at least the second starting Saints player this offseason to have surgery delayed because an initial diagnosis deemed an operation not necessary. Center Max Unger had foot surgery in May and is now in a race to rehabilitate by the regular season opener.
The orthopedic surgeons let go are both with Ochsner Health System, which is one of the most visible sponsors of the Saints as well as the NBA’s Pelicans. Both teams are owned by Tom Benson.
Browns: After weeks of speculation, analysis and evaluation, the team’s quarterback competition is headed into its home stretch.
Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas believes it’s over — Brock Osweiler will start the season opener Sept. 10 against Pittsburgh.
“I could be totally wrong,” Thomas said Wednesday. “I might be going out on a limb here, but I think they’re grooming Brock to be the starter in Week 1 based on what I’ve seen.”
Coach Hue Jackson picked Osweiler to start his second straight preseason game when the Browns host the Giants on Monday night. Kizer will play second, with Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan after that.
Meantime, Joel Bitonio’s comeback from a major injury has been stalled.
Cleveland’s left guard — and one of its best players — could be out for an extended period with an unspecified knee injury sustained during Tuesday’s practice.
Also, backup tackle Cam Erving, a former starter and first-round pick, injured his calf during the workout and could be out for a few weeks.
Cowboys: Running back Ezekiel Elliott’s appeal of a six-game suspension over a domestic violence case will be heard by arbitrator Harold Henderson, who reduced Greg Hardy’s ban when the defensive end was with the Cowboys two years ago.
Henderson is one of the people approved by Commissioner Roger Goodell to hear appeals under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The league concluded after a yearlong investigation that Elliott, the 2016 rushing leader as a rookie, had several physical confrontations that left his girlfriend with bruises last summer in Ohio. Prosecutors didn’t pursue the case, citing conflicting and inconsistent information.
Cardinals: Receiver John Brown, a critical part of the Arizona offense, was limited at practice because of a lingering quadriceps injury. He said afterward he’s nowhere near full strength and doesn’t want to play until he is. Brown was diagnosed last season with sickle cell trait, a condition that affects his recovery from injuries.
“I can’t rush it,” he said. “My body’s different than others. They expect me to come back fast but you know I can’t.”
Jets: Wide receiver Lucky Whitehead has a broken foot and will be sidelined indefinitely, coach Todd Bowles said. Whitehead was injured during practice Monday and it’s uncertain whether he will need surgery. Bowles did not know if Whitehead will be out for the year.
Whitehead, who was on crutches during the team’s indoor practice, appeared to be the top contender to serve as the Jets’ primary punt and kickoff returner.
The injury is the latest in a string of bad news for Whitehead, who was waived by Dallas last month following a shoplifting incident that turned out to be a case of false identity.
Redskins: Safety Su’a Cravens had knee surgery and there’s no official timeline for him to return. Coach Jay Gruden said Cravens had a knee scope to clean out some issues with his meniscus after being injured against Baltimore last week.
With Cravens out, Deshazor Everett has taken most of the snaps as the first-team free safety.
Seahawks: Signed cornerback Tramaine Brock to a one-year contract, giving the former starter in San Francisco a chance to add depth to Seattle’s secondary. His signing came a week after charges were dropped against Brock in a domestic violence case that led to his release by the 49ers.
Ravens: The club is “close” to a deal to reunite with center Jeremy Zuttah, according to the Baltimore Sun. Zuttah made the Pro Bowl in 2016, but the Ravens traded him to San Francisco in March in an exchange of sixth-round picks. The 49ers released him last week after Zuttah failed to push Daniel Kilgore for the starting job.
Lions: Put starting defensive end Kerry Hyder on injured reserve after he tore his Achilles tendon in Sunday’s preseason game at Indianapolis.